Sat., Dec. 10, 2016
3:00 PM ESTArmy vs. Navy FootballDon't miss one of the greatest events you can ever attend! The Army-Navy Game presented by USAA returns to M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, December 10, 2016

Sat., Dec. 10, 2016
7:00 PM
- 7:30 PM ESTRavens ReportHosted by WUSA-TV's Kristen Berset, Ravens Report, the flagship program of the Baltimore Ravens that showcases life in the NFL. Created by Ravens Productions, this magazine-style show features behind-the-scenes access to Ravens players and coaches as they prepare for each week's opponent.

Sat., Dec. 10, 2016
7:30 PM
- 8:00 PM ESTRavens ReportSee the plays, hear the sideline conversations and feel the hits on Ravens Wired, the only behind-the-scenes show featuring a Ravens player wired for sound during each week's game. Go behind the Ravens bench for in-game adjustments and inside the locker room for Head Coach John Harbaugh's post-game speech. Produced by Ravens Productions, Ravens Wired is hosted by WBAL-TV's Keith Mills.

Mon., Dec. 12, 2016
8:30 PM ESTPurple Club Happy HourWhat's better than Happy Hour specials and Baltimore Ravens football? A Purple Club Happy Hour! Join the Purple club this season at various Buffalo Wild Wings locations to watch the Ravens on the road.

Mon., Dec. 12, 2016
11:45 PM ESTLivePost Game PresserJohn Harbaugh and key players will address the media following the game.

Sat., Dec. 17, 2016
7:00 PM
- 7:30 PM ESTRavens ReportHosted by WUSA-TV's Kristen Berset, Ravens Report, the flagship program of the Baltimore Ravens that showcases life in the NFL. Created by Ravens Productions, this magazine-style show features behind-the-scenes access to Ravens players and coaches as they prepare for each week's opponent.

Sat., Dec. 17, 2016
7:30 PM
- 8:00 PM ESTRavens ReportSee the plays, hear the sideline conversations and feel the hits on Ravens Wired, the only behind-the-scenes show featuring a Ravens player wired for sound during each week's game. Go behind the Ravens bench for in-game adjustments and inside the locker room for Head Coach John Harbaugh's post-game speech. Produced by Ravens Productions, Ravens Wired is hosted by WBAL-TV's Keith Mills.

Reed was an explosive returner and gunner on special teams, but the Ravens have Pro Bowler Jacoby Jones and capable coverage players. His value there wasn’t enough to keep him in town.

So, why not try to get value if you were planning to release him anyway?

“‘Tis the season to exchange your spare parts that you were going to cut anyway, if you can get anything of value,” wrote ProFootballTalk.com’s Darin Gantt.

Now Reed will get a fresh start with a playoff-caliber team after struggling with injuries for three years and getting minimal playing time in Baltimore.

“Had fun playing with D. Reed. I'm happy that he is getting a fresh start,” tweeted Ravens top receiver Torrey Smith. “Going to miss him around here but wish him the best of luck.”

So that part makes sense.

But trading for a running back isn’t as clear.

That position is already seemingly set, and adding third-year Delone Carter muddies the water.

Sure, Baltimore provides a fresh start for a backup who was almost certain to be cut from the Colts roster. Maybe his chances of making an NFL 53-man roster has increased, but he’s no lock with the Ravens either, even if he beats out the competition behind leaders Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce.

“With Bernard Pierce recently dealing with a knee injury suffered in the preseason opener, Carter might prove to be an upgrade over third-string options Anthony Allen, Bobby Rainey, and Damien Berry should he prove to be a capable special-teams player,” WNST’s Luke Jones wrote. “However, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that he ultimately makes the 53-man roster.”

The Ravens may opt to just stick with four backs even with Carter in town, says The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson. In addition to Rice and Pierce, the Ravens have fullbacks Vonta Leach and rookie Kyle Juszczyk. Many NFL teams don’t even have one fullback, let alone two.

The move isn’t regarded as a good sign for Allen, Rainey or Berry. Allen has been a solid special teams blocker for Jones, but Wilson points out that Juszczyk can fill that role. And the Ravens don’t need Rainey in their return game.

With a slim chance of making the roster, maybe the exchange helped the Ravens under the salary cap? Nope, the trade was a financial wash.

The Ravens had to pay dead money ($500,000 signing bonus) to Reed with either a trade or a release, per Wilson. Reed is reportedly scheduled to make $630,000 in base salary, Carter is set to make $550,000.

So no clear need was met. There’s no clear financial savings.

Uh-oh, here come the conspiracy theorists.

With the trade announcement coming at about the same time news brokethat Steelers talented rookie running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a foot injury, fans wondered if the Ravens were simply trying to block their AFC North rival from adding reinforcements. Others wonder if Pierce’s knee injury is more serious than the team is letting on.

The more likely explanation: Two players with potential now have fresh starts with slightly better opportunities to make their new rosters. And it doesn’t hurt that Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell is familiar with his former player in Carter, and Head Coach Chuck Pagano knows Reed from when they were together in Baltimore.

Ravens’ Uniforms Ranked No. 24

The Super Bowl champions’uniforms aren’t getting much love from the peeps at ESPN’s Uni Watch.

In his NFL uniform power rankings, Paul Lukas ranked the Ravens get-ups at No. 24. That wasn’t as bad as division rival Cincinnati Bengals, who came in almost dead last at No. 31. But the Steelers’ look was ranked at No. 3 and the Browns were No. 16.

“Worst-looking Super Bowl champs since, um, the last time this team won the Super Bowl a dozen years earlier (although it's nice that they've dropped the neck roll),” Lukas wrote.

Geeeez! Easy, Paul.

The Ravens’ uniforms made it to the semifinals in NFL.com’s “Greatest Uniform in NFL History” voting bracket. OK, maybe Ravens Nation’s strong voting power had something to do with that.

Still, not all objective parties agree with Lukas.

“I've never had a problem with the current Ravens' uniforms, and this version is a huge improvement from the ones they sported in their early days, which featured that huge white stripe down the side of the black pants,” AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley wrote. “The team's alternate black jersey with white pants is a sharp look.”

That’s because tackles Bryant McKinnie and Michael Oher won’t have to worry about two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller in the Ravens-Broncos season opener. Miller was suspended for six games under the NFL's substance abuse policy.

“It should mean a more comfortable pocket for quarterback Joe Flacco,” Hensley wrote. “The numbers show how devastating the loss of Miller will be on the Denver defense. Miller has accounted for almost one-third of the Broncos’ sacks over the past two seasons (30 of 92).”

Really though, I don’t think McKinnie or Oher was all that nervous. They protected Flacco just fine in the divisional playoff game last season, and that was when the Broncos also had Elvis Dumervil chasing the Ravens quarterback.

Predicting CB Battle: Graham vs. J. Smith

Despite a rough outing against the Falcons last week, there are still some reasons Jimmy Smith could win the No. 2 cornerback spot, says Baltimore Beatdown’s Jason Butt.

Smith is a former first-round pick with plenty of potential, and Butt says he will never live up to it if he’s not placed in game situations. He has the size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) to be physical and jam receivers at the line of scrimmage.

“By the end of the preseason, Graham runs away with the second cornerback spot,” Butt wrote. “It's hard to discount someone that brings the same kind of consistent play day in and day out. Smith is almost there as a starting cornerback and will get every opportunity a year from now to be the No. 2 corner in the base defense.

“Smith will also be the right cornerback in nickel situations, with Graham sliding inside to cover the slot. Smith will see plenty of playing time this year, though Graham will be considered the second starter at the position.”

Quick Hits

Ryan Mink’s story on Bryant McKinnie and Ray Rice’s odd relationship spurred more light-hearted jabbing between opposite-sized teammates on Twitter. “But do y'all see the life size action figure of himself that Ray is holding lol,” McKinnie tweeted with this picture after seeing the story. “Lol ight bro,” Rice responded. [Twitter]

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